All Discussions Tagged 'atheism' - Atheist Nexus2015-03-31T21:47:01Zhttp://www.atheistnexus.org/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=atheism&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSecular Humanism Teaches Christians How To Be Moral?tag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-03-25:2182797:Topic:25850822015-03-25T12:42:23.443ZDyslexic's DOGhttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/GraemeDay
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>I love the Christian argument from morality. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Why? You may ask.</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Because it is a classic Argument From Ignorance Fallacy!</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Total ignorance of their own and real history.</strong></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>They keep forgetting that their primary scriptural source…</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>I love the Christian argument from morality. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Why? You may ask.</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Because it is a classic Argument From Ignorance Fallacy!</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Total ignorance of their own and real history.</strong></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>They keep forgetting that their primary scriptural source is extremely immoral , with most of the immoral passages recently ignored, thanks to the advent of secular humanism.</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">For the first thousand years of existence, Christianity was extremely immoral, as they followed the Old Testament stoning of homosexuals, abuse and trading of slaves, burning of witches, murdering of infidels and wilful destruction of all knowledge that did not agree with their scriptures (Buybull).</span></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Essentially, Christianity at the time or as it was once called Christendom, was essentially no better than currently displayed ISIS morality.</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">It wasn't until Christianity/Christendom, felt the threat from reformers and sensed that time were changing, as more free-thinkers and deists (like the American Founding Fathers) in countries like France, were starting to have a major influence in Western thought.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">It was actually free thinkers in Sweden and Eastern Europe, who started to push for the abolishment of slavery by convincing many people that slavery was barbaric and wrong, though the Christians wrongly point to the Quakers as the first to attempt to stop slave trading, in the 18th Century, but it was the Swedish Monarchy who were pushing against slavery in the 16th Century which influenced King Charles I of Spain to pass laws prohibiting trading of slaves. Though I will grant that the Quakers made the biggest push against it, though this like all changes in Christian morality, was trying to stay ahead of the trend towards secular humanism which was only beginning to show influence. As the Quakers at the time, also had slaves themselves, being Christian and all. </span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Though burning of witches, and execution of heretics/infidels, did not disappear until the 19th Century and even into the 20th Century with Christian sects like the Klu Klux Klan.</span></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">As only 1000 years ago, the entire BuyBull was considered as god's truth and literally interpreted and followed as if it was the only law book.</span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">As human morality improved, through the evolution of secular humanism, critics of Christianity and even Christians themselves, awoke to the gross immorality of most of the Buybull, and started the slow process of declaring the immoral passages as metaphorical/allegorical.</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">By the turn of the 20th Century, most of the Old Testament which was once held as literal absolute truth, had become metaphorical.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Christians started ignoring the Old Testament and concentrating solely on the teachings of Jesus Christ in the 21st Century unlike previous centuries. This was to compete with Secular Humanism, as Secular Humanism was starting to win the race for the moral high ground.</span></p>
<p><strong><span class="font-size-3">Christians have to get rid of the Old Testament, to compete with humanism, but, their difficulty is that Jesus Christ told them to obey the Old Testament, which is immoral, and even some of Jesus's teachings concerning family values and his sermon on the mount are not that moral, so they are fighting a losing race for the moral high ground against humanism.</span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3">Even more of their Buybull is being declared as metaphorical in the 21st Century, especially the passages which mention homosexuality and abortion (you know, the one where the man who punched the woman and caused premature birth, who only had to pay a fine).</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #800080;" class="font-size-3"><strong>Though Christian groups disagree on both, some still cling to homosexuals need to be stoned to death, while others claim those passages as metaphorical and god accepts homosexuals.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #800080;" class="font-size-3"><strong>Sort of trying to have it both ways from the very same book, stupid isn't it?</strong></span></p>
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<p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;" class="font-size-5">If it wasn't for Secular Humanism, Christianity would still be extremely immoral.</span></strong></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">So, we know very well where Morality originated, Social Evolution, the source of Secular Humanism, and in fact, all morality, human and animal.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Morality certainly never, ever originated from any god, as that appears to be the source of Christian immorality, which is still raising its very ugly head, as the Christian morality arose from the same source as ISIS morality, The Old Testament.</span></strong></span></p>
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<p><span class="font-size-3">Don't you agree????</span></p>
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<p></p> Atheist Poets?tag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-03-16:2182797:Topic:25822152015-03-16T19:20:19.797ZJoan Denoohttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/JoanDenoo
<p>I am interested in reading some atheist poets. Not a poetry reader myself, usually, I am flying in the dark on this one. </p>
<p>Recommendations please. </p>
<p>I am interested in reading some atheist poets. Not a poetry reader myself, usually, I am flying in the dark on this one. </p>
<p>Recommendations please. </p> Greece's new Prime Minister an Atheisttag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-02-17:2182797:Topic:25723902015-02-17T22:55:45.774ZVangelishttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/Vangelis
<p>I haven't seen it mentioned here and thought it significant enough to let AtheistNexus members know about Greece's new <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/01/27/alexis-tsipras-new-greek-prime-minister-is-an-atheist/" target="_blank">Atheist Prime Minister</a>, Alexis Tsipras, is an atheist.</p>
<p>In any other country this would be a fairly interesting but not terribly significant event (such as Australia's ex Prime Minister Julia Gillard). In Greece, whose culture,…</p>
<p>I haven't seen it mentioned here and thought it significant enough to let AtheistNexus members know about Greece's new <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/01/27/alexis-tsipras-new-greek-prime-minister-is-an-atheist/" target="_blank">Atheist Prime Minister</a>, Alexis Tsipras, is an atheist.</p>
<p>In any other country this would be a fairly interesting but not terribly significant event (such as Australia's ex Prime Minister Julia Gillard). In Greece, whose culture, politics, society and education is so completely smothered by christianity, this is a very significant and welcome event. He is shaking things up quite a bit in the Eurozone and I'm hoping he shakes up Greece's religious blindness as well although his initial focus is Greece's financial situation, I'm hoping once that settles down he can turn his attention to the Greek religious plight.</p>
<p></p> My anti-anti-gay poemtag:www.atheistnexus.org,2015-02-04:2182797:Topic:25635702015-02-04T18:36:43.378ZOn my Kneesus for Jesus!http://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/DerekPastafarian
<p>On a youtube video featuring a gay theme, the Christians were going nuts.</p>
<p>I wrote this in the comments and it got 60+ likes so far and climbing fast.</p>
<p>Thought I would post it here too!</p>
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<p class="_message">Incoming christians!<br></br>Batten down the hatches,<br></br>board up the door!<br></br>Damn you, christians, I CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE!<br></br><br></br>They'll say "gay is a choice"<br></br>then fill with rejoice,<br></br>as they think they are better than you<br></br>just because they all think…</p>
<p>On a youtube video featuring a gay theme, the Christians were going nuts.</p>
<p>I wrote this in the comments and it got 60+ likes so far and climbing fast.</p>
<p>Thought I would post it here too!</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="_message">Incoming christians!<br/>Batten down the hatches,<br/>board up the door!<br/>Damn you, christians, I CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE!<br/><br/>They'll say "gay is a choice"<br/>then fill with rejoice,<br/>as they think they are better than you<br/>just because they all think the same imaginary friend is real.<br/>But really, it's no big deal.<br/><br/>I have logic on my side.<br/>Religion has tried,<br/>but it can't.<br/><br/>Not anymore.<br/>Religion is such a chore.<br/>Following nonsense <br/>just to make a fake friend<br/>and to avoid a punishment that isn't at the end.<br/><br/>Please Christians,<br/>just listen to reason.<br/>When I speak of science,<br/>it's surely not treason.<br/><br/>So please,<br/>being gay is simply genetics<br/>there is no reason to be crazy fanatics.<br/><br/>Alas, that is all my time<br/>I must bid you adieu<br/>You can have your opinions,<br/>but don't preach them too.</p>
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<p class="_message">Hope you enjoyed it!</p>
<p class="message brief"> </p> Science vs Religiontag:www.atheistnexus.org,2014-11-13:2182797:Topic:25055112014-11-13T17:37:27.246ZFreethinker31http://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/JoelMSerin
<p>Most of us are quite critical of religion, including myself........However, I do feel that religion and science can co-exist.............Science is based on factual evidence whereas Religion is more philosophical....The problem today is that Theists mock Science and try, unsuccessfully, to renounce the archeological and scientific facts brought to light.......Science is the teacher while Religion is the philosopher and nurturer.....If Theists admit that their bible is merely a…</p>
<p>Most of us are quite critical of religion, including myself........However, I do feel that religion and science can co-exist.............Science is based on factual evidence whereas Religion is more philosophical....The problem today is that Theists mock Science and try, unsuccessfully, to renounce the archeological and scientific facts brought to light.......Science is the teacher while Religion is the philosopher and nurturer.....If Theists admit that their bible is merely a philosophical tool in how lay people think about life, there would be no problem.......Teaching Intelligent Design in schools is a terrible mistake......Trying to convince the people of the world ,that the answers to our questions on the Universe and the beginning of life,is all in the Bible is disingenuous..........The two, science and religion, can co-exist peacefully, when Theists admit that their philosophical views on life work with and not against science....</p> Whats your take on what Gandhi ji said about "mysterious power that makes it self felt". I have felt it few times in my life, have you ?tag:www.atheistnexus.org,2014-10-24:2182797:Topic:24965812014-10-24T16:49:49.645ZJanBodhhttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/janbodh
There is an indefinable mysterious power that pervades everything. I feel it, though I do not see it. It is this unseen power that makes itself felt and yet defies proof, because it is so unlike all that I perceive through out the existence of God to a limited extent
There is an indefinable mysterious power that pervades everything. I feel it, though I do not see it. It is this unseen power that makes itself felt and yet defies proof, because it is so unlike all that I perceive through out the existence of God to a limited extent 55 Reasons to Doubt Christianitytag:www.atheistnexus.org,2014-10-14:2182797:Topic:24906212014-10-14T22:34:16.630ZMichaelRhttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/MichaelR
<p>I have listed all of the reasons that caused me to abandon Christianity. I would be happy to receive some more ideas. Here is my list:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kyroot.com">http://www.kyroot.com</a></p>
<p>I have listed all of the reasons that caused me to abandon Christianity. I would be happy to receive some more ideas. Here is my list:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kyroot.com">http://www.kyroot.com</a></p> Anyone else have trouble finding a compatible psychotherapist?tag:www.atheistnexus.org,2014-09-23:2182797:Topic:24795392014-09-23T06:31:29.737ZAtheist in FundyLandhttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/AtheistinFundyLand
<p>I went through mountains of paperwork and saw one therapist three times over the course of about six months. Had I scheduled another session, it would have been at least a month from now. There are only about six therapists in my area who take my kind of health insurance. So far, every one I've seen has been incompatible. And it takes at least six months to get started on "therapy" because there are so many patients and so few counselors. Add to that the fact that I'm an atheist and things…</p>
<p>I went through mountains of paperwork and saw one therapist three times over the course of about six months. Had I scheduled another session, it would have been at least a month from now. There are only about six therapists in my area who take my kind of health insurance. So far, every one I've seen has been incompatible. And it takes at least six months to get started on "therapy" because there are so many patients and so few counselors. Add to that the fact that I'm an atheist and things look almost hopeless.</p>
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<p>You see, my counselor didn't understand how badly religion can hurt a person or how ostracized and rejected one can feel after "coming out" as an atheist in a small, conservative town. I went to her because I felt ostracized and rejected. After today's session, I felt even more ostracized and rejected. I came out of the session feeling much worse than when I went in. </p>
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<p>The funny thing is I talked to a lady afterward who was a billion times more helpful than the licensed therapist. She actually understood me and agreed that this town is oppressively conservative to anyone who is different. This is a fact. Anyone with eyes can see it. And yet my therapist denied it and told me I had an attitude problem. Yes, I know I have to make some changes, but I also want a therapist who understands the fact that coming out of religion was excruciatingly painful and that living in a religious community is filled with perils, especially if I stay true to myself.</p>
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<p><span>The lady from Croatia was so kind. She figured I must be thirsty and gave me water. I've been in a lot of emotional turmoil and instead of dismissing it, she comforted me. She bemoaned the fact that an atheistic therapist had just quit the clinic and that my only other choice is a young man who probably wouldn't be right for me either. I was terrified about tonight's chorus practice and she gave me her card and urged me to call her and tell her how things went. In just a few minutes, this woman helped more than the entire clinic had in the six months I've been registered there. </span></p>
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<p><span>She told me the atheistic counselor is moving to a clinic that also accepts my health insurance. There's a small chance I could get in to see her. That doesn't guarantee we'll get along, but at least there's a small chance.</span></p>
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<p><span>Through all this I've kept in mind recent studies that suggest anti-depressants and psychotherapy are no more beneficial than a placebo. I'm a walking argument for this point of view because neither has done me much good in the long run. At this point, I'm trying to find my own path. I wanted to include psychotherapy because even if it doesn't work, it doesn't have the horrible side effects of psychiatric drugs.</span></p>
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<p><span>I am now of the opinion that psychiatric drugs did me more harm than good by destroying my health. I can't prove it yet, but I believe I'm correct. I didn't have fibromyalgia until after the drugs. I didn't gain weight until after the drugs. I didn't have type 2 diabetes until after the drugs. Once I came off Cymbalta and went through some excruciating withdrawals (yes, there are withdrawal symptoms from these drugs...HORRIBLE withdrawal symptoms; don't trust any psychiatrist that tells you otherwise), I lost 50 pounds. I'm only using insulin a couple of times a week now. I was using it at least twice a day. The pitting edema is gone. I still have a little bit of non-pitting edema in my legs, but it is manageable. My health still isn't great, but it's better than it was when I was on Cymbalta. I will have another huge battle on my hands when I decide to go off the next psychiatric drug. If I come off Seroquel successfully, maybe I can lose the rest of the weight I gained when I went on psychiatric drugs some twenty years ago..</span></p>
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<p><span>To the psychotherapist I saw today, I have something to say: </span><span style="font-size: 13px;">Religion is harmful.</span></p>
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<p>Sorry, cold and unhelpful therapist woman I saw for the last time today, but that's the truth. I don't <em>need</em> to be more accepting of religion any more than I <em>need</em> to be more accepting of racism. Can I love religious people? Sure. I do it every single day. But I need a better way of handling my emotions. If you don't understand where I'm coming from, how in the world can you help me? In order to make changes, I need to feel safe and I can't feel safe with someone who denies the truth. It was also obvious that you didn't give a rat's ass about me. It was in everything you said, in every move you made.</p>
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<p>Then a lady from Croatia showed me that a tiny bit of kindness is worth more than six months of your crappy psychotherapy. Thank you, kind lady. I thank the god that doesn't exist that you were there to save me from one of his followers.</p> "Atheism for Dummies" is not for dummies!tag:www.atheistnexus.org,2014-08-07:2182797:Topic:24565222014-08-07T18:27:19.971Ztom sarbeckhttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/TomSarbeck
<p>Few of us will finish Dale McGowan's <em>Atheism for Dummies</em> without having learned important advantages of non-belief. Some of us will have had our beliefs challenged.</p>
<p>For instance, how many of us know of the study that compared rescuers and non-rescuers in Nazi Europe?</p>
<p>Or, after horrid acts like mass shootings, how many of us can answer the xian cry that morality is declining because children are no longer raised to honor and obey parents, authorities, or the xian…</p>
<p>Few of us will finish Dale McGowan's <em>Atheism for Dummies</em> without having learned important advantages of non-belief. Some of us will have had our beliefs challenged.</p>
<p>For instance, how many of us know of the study that compared rescuers and non-rescuers in Nazi Europe?</p>
<p>Or, after horrid acts like mass shootings, how many of us can answer the xian cry that morality is declining because children are no longer raised to honor and obey parents, authorities, or the xian god?</p>
<p>If I do a book review I will put it in the book readers' discussion. Here I will briefly describe a few points McGowan makes that after almost sixty years of apatheism, pleasant surprised me.</p>
<p>If you're reading it, or have read it, what surprised you? If you answer "Nothing" I will be surprised.</p> The Secular Life Thriving Without Gods or Gurus, A Really Good Thingtag:www.atheistnexus.org,2014-07-23:2182797:Topic:24502652014-07-23T15:23:26.553ZJoan Denoohttp://www.atheistnexus.org/profile/JoanDenoo
<p><a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-secular-life/201407/really-good-thing" target="_blank">The Secular Life Thriving Without Gods or Gurus, A Really Good Thing</a></p>
<p>"Yes, the growth of <a class="pt-basics-link" href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/religion" title="Psychology Today looks at Religion">atheism</a>, agnosticism, skepticism, humanism, and other various manifestations of secularity in both the USA and around the world over the past 25 years is a decidedly…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-secular-life/201407/really-good-thing" target="_blank">The Secular Life Thriving Without Gods or Gurus, A Really Good Thing</a></p>
<p>"Yes, the growth of <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/religion" title="Psychology Today looks at Religion" class="pt-basics-link">atheism</a>, agnosticism, skepticism, humanism, and other various manifestations of secularity in both the USA and around the world over the past 25 years is a decidedly good thing, for the following reasons:"</p>